Sometimes these ponderings will be from Caunes, and sometimes from Yorkshire.

Tuesday, 13 May 2014

A Day at the Races

I have only been to "the races" once, and that was a special trip to the Epsom Derby revolving around my parent-in-laws' golden wedding anniversary. I remember it as being a wonderfully colourful day, with so much going on at the race course that it was impossible to take it all in......a huge fairground, the bookies shouting the odds all over the place, the massive crowds, the gorgeous silks worn by the jockeys, and of course the splendour of the horses themselves.An afternoon at Carcassonne Races was nothing like Epsom !

The rather small stand at Hippodrome de la Fajeolle, Carcassonne

It cost 6 Euros to get into the ground, and that included 2 free 2 Euro bets. We wandered across the field from the car park, towards the stand, not expecting much at all. It all looked very low key.

It was very low key, no fancy outfits, no hats, no bookies calling at the tops of their voices. There was a face painting stall, a bouncy castle and some pony rides for children, but apart from that, all the action was around the parade ring, where the horses and riders walked around before each race....and , of course, the race track itself.

We realised things were going to be a bit different when we saw the horse boxes lining the edge of the course...with the large 2 wheeled chariots attached to the back.

Some of the races were trotting races.... not sure if that is the correct term.....but it added a dimension we had never seen before. I am always fascinated by the crowds at sporting events, and although this gathering could hardly be called a crowd, there were some interesting sights.

....The above horse owner certainly would have fitted in at Epsom, and it seems, from watching the spectators, that studying the form is universal.

We loved the colours, the horses all looked magnificent, and we won 9.60 euros using our free bets !

It was an unexpectedly brilliant afternoon. The low keyness of it all made it more enjoyable. It all seemed so normal. We stood just a few meters from the finish line, and joined in the excitement of watching the winners come across the line. There was some flat racing as well as the trotting, and we are hoping that there will be other meetings during the year. We'll certainly go again, and I may even take one of the bigger lenses for the camera, and try to get some real horses in action shots.

This is the jockey...on a horse called Baraka, who won us 9.60. I dont know why he looks so miserable, he had just won.

27 comments:

Oh, what fun Janice, and great atmospheric photos. I enjoy the races on the rare occasions we attend: the colour and spectacle, the fashions, the funny little bets I place based on the jockey's silks. Never have I known the trotting and horse-racing to be combined, but really, what a good idea! Variety for all. Perhaps you will become a regular at the track :) xxx

This all looks to be enormous fun. For our part we much prefer low key events such as this to anything which the spectators, let alone those taking part in the races, take too seriously. As near as we have ever got to the races is, when much younger, to local point to points.

I think the fact that it was clearly just ordinary families, with no attempt at "poshness", made us love it all the more...and yes.... an afternoon's excellent entertainment for less than 3 euros, taking our huge winnings into account....was wonderful.

What amazing photos you've captured here, Janice - and this without the best camera!! Love them and although it may have been low-key compared to Epsom and some of the bigger national events, I think it looks just perfect. I bet you were almost as excited as I was at Catford Dogs....oooh, I feel a post coming on!! Axxx

Catford Dogs ????? I need to know more.....but then I suspect you might not now have as much time on your hands to keep us informed about life in Alacala, interspersed with ponderings of life in Kirklees, Bradford, London.... Catford.....It feels strange to be back to wallowing in things for our own fun and enjoyment here...... I think I'm missing the shop, but I have to admit that going to the races in Carcassonne was an excellent way to spend an afternoon.jxxx

Brilliant! There is a similar race only a few kilometers from us in France. We have never gone, but you have just inspired me to try! One of the drawbacks for us is it is held sometime in August when very hot and the one time we planned to go we gave it up the plus 40 degree heat for the cooler climes of a lake!!

We have been told that they only hold meetings here in the spring and autumn as the summer would be too hot. I cant imagine the state the horses must be in if they run in 40 degrees. I would recommend you visit your nearby track....but not when its too hot !

What fun - particularly the trotting races! Hope the weather was good. I was taken to the 'Glorious Goodwood' race meeting in Sussex some years ago (Oh dear - probably 20 years or so!) - it's one of the really 'posh' meetings, and it was a great day with wonderful weather. And, to cap it all, I came away £1 better off than I went! It's a beautiful venue, up on top of the downs, and owned by the Duke of Richmond and Gordon (if I remember rightly) who has a stately home just nearby, Goodwood House. Happy memories. :-)

That sounds like a good day Helva. I remember really loving the Epsom atmosphere, which really did involve an incredible mix of people. My daughter lives in Liverpool and although we all have concerns about the safety of horses at races like the Grand national...she loves the atmosphere in the whole city of Liverpool when races are taking place at Aintree.

Dear Janice - it looks good fun, and without the elitist rubbish that we have here. The top hats and fancy outfits put me off at the races here. Much prefer the outfits and the relaxed atmosphere of the Carcassonne Races. H and I used to go to point-to-points in our younger days before we married.

That looks such fun, Janice, and your photos capture the atmosphere brilliantly. Like The Broad, we have trotting races held not far from us in Normandy, but we've never yet been for one reason or another. That really has to change. :-)

What photogenic gee-gees!I must say it is hard to tell that this event is in France - from the way it looks it could easily be the UK, especially with the trotting which I've watched at many a Yorkshire agricultural show.

I love horse racing events when I feel confident that the horses are well cared for and not abused. I feel strongly against the Grand National for obvious reasons. This looks like it was a lovely event Janice. I think I would have enjoyed it. I have so many memories of attending racing with my late Dad, who was very keen and spent hours "studying form". Every year in particular we did Royal Ascot week, just him and I, with a champagne lunch on the Heath. Lovely memories.

About Me

In September 2011 after years of staring longingly in French estate agency windows ..... we finally bought a house 20 minutes drive from Carcassonne, intending to divide our lives between Hebden Bridge and Caunes Minervois. Things haven't worked out quite as we imagined, as I was diagnosed with cancer last October. Following surgery and follow up treatment we are now working hard on my recovery, and are spending time in the two places we love.... Caunes Minervois and Hebden Bridge